At his family’s off-season home in the Toronto area, Mark Giordano found himself on the phone.

A lot.

To Calgary Flames new general manger Brad Treliving.

To the handful of free agents added to the roster including Jonas Hiller, Brandon Bollig, Mason Raymond, Devin Setoguchi, and Deryk Engelland.

To the young prospects, including fourth overall 2014 NHL draft selection Sam Bennett.

“I’ve pretty much reached out to all of the guys that have been signed by our team or added through free agency,” the Flames second-year captain was saying on Tuesday following a chilly day at the Calgary Italian Open golf course held at the Hamptons Golf Course. “I’m really excited. Guys like Mason Raymond, Devin Setoguchi . . . I think they’re all guys that want to prove themselves and are going to push for spots and help our team, for sure.

“But don’t count out our young guys. I think we have a lot of young guys that are pushing for jobs as well, more than people give them credit for. That really helps us veterans and keeps us hungry . . . it’s a good mix.”

Competition, he says, is a good thing and there will be a lot of it when the Flames kick off their main camp on Sept. 18, which is nearly two weeks away. (Preaseason, believe it or not, starts Sept. 21 with a split-squad game against the Oilers in Edmonton and Calgary).

The pressure is on for the Flames to improve from the 27th-placed showing from the 2013-14 season, a true rebuild year in the most complete sense.

They were 35-40-7 but, despite the overall dismal finish, the club managed to put together an exciting brand of hockey and became known for their work ethic.

Something Giordano didn’t forget in the summer.

“No. 1 is we keep the same style of play we did last year,” he said. “And, I think with the additions we made, we’re going to be better than last year.”

Since Treliving was hired at the end of April, Giordano has yet to meet the new general manager but has had several conversations regarding team news.

“I really appreciate how he keeps me in the mix,” he said. “We know what’s going on all of the time. I just got into Calgary (Tuesday) night and I’m sure we’ll meet face to face.

“He seems like a great guy . . . I’ve heard nothing but good things from other players, especially in Phoenix. I’m looking forward to it, for sure.”

Giordano, too, has initiated conversations himself.

He, personally, wanted to welcome Bennett into the Flames family when the team selected the Kingston Frontenacs centreman and fellow Ontario native.

So, when Peter Hanlon, the Flames’ vice-president of communications, connected with Giordano on the night of the draft and informed him who they were planning on selecting, he was quick to suggest a quick phone conversation.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about how dynamic and great he’s been in junior,” Giordano said. “I think he’s going to be a lot like Monny (Sean Monahan, the Flames sixth overall pick from 2013), a good piece for our organization for a long time to come. I just wanted to make him feel as comfortable as possible. As a young guy, it can be intimidating . . . but the young guys on our team are the ones coming up and are going to help us push for that playoff spot in years to come.”

As for Giordano himself, the 30-year-old allowed himself three weeks to recover and heal — physically and mentally — after the 82-game grind and is feeling fresh at his usual 200-pounds on his six-foot frame.

Antsy, however, to get this thing started.

“You start to get the nerves and those butterflies a few weeks before camp,” Giordano said. “But it’s time to get going. I was talking to my wife about it the other day, getting out of Toronto and back into the routine of things. I’m, for sure, excited.”

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